Cleaning system for tube and shell heat exchanger

Abstract

An online cleaning system for tube and shell heat exchangers is presented. The system includes a positioner, a plunger, an umbilical cleaner, and a motor. The cleaning system cleans the tubes while the heat exchanger remains in operation. The cleaning system locates and isolates a single tube via rotating and translating mechanical actions and inserts the umbilical cleaner into the tube, which may clean the tube via rotational movement or via sonication. The cleaning system may further clean the outer surface of the tubes of the heat exchanger.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cleaning system configured to clean an online tube and shell heat exchanger comprising:
 a positioner that locates and isolates a tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger, wherein the positioner includes an annular rail sliding on a fixed rail support fixed on a face of the online tube and shell heat exchanger; 
 an angular selector that rotates the annular rail to a rotational position according to a (r, θ) coordinate selection system; 
 a plunger that is connected to the positioner that is configured to attach to the tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger while the online tube and shell heat exchanger is online; and 
 a cleaning element that is configured to pass through the plunger and into the tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger and is mechanized by circulation of a fluid passing through the tube while the online tube and shell heat exchanger is in operation. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the circulation of the fluid passing through the tube creates a rotation action by a turbine present on the cleaning element to clean the tube. 
 
     
     
       3. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger includes a motor positioned to extend a length of the plunger; 
 the plunger comprises a soft material at a base configured to seal with a base plate of the heat exchanger; and 
 the plunger connects the tube to an external circulation system. 
 
     
     
       4. The cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein the flow rate of the fluid controls a rotational rate of a rotational brush present on the cleaning element. 
     
     
       5. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cleaning element includes a cable; and a rotating brush. 
 
     
     
       6. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cleaning element comprises at least one from the group consisting of a non-rotating element; 
 an ultrasonic resonator; 
 a nozzle; and 
 a wire brush. 
 
     
     
       7. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a filter attached externally to the online tube and shell heat exchanger, wherein the filter is configured to filter contaminates from the fluid. 
 
     
     
       8. The cleaning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a diagnostic tool fitted to the cleaning system.